No worries about where you placed. You did a lot of shows back to back, which I think is interesting. Take a few days and get some rest. Recuperate and think about where you are taking your physique next. Proud of you bro, that many shows back to back is damn tough. Send me some photos, I am curious to see how you looked.

Thanks everyone for the pre-contest encouragement. I tried really hard but it just wasn't good enough for the top 5. I worked my ass off this year, more than any other year and I'm really pleased with how the year went. But now it's time to take a break.

I was planning on competing August 8th near Seattle but I just got an offer from VEGA to go to Chicago to run the booth for Chicago VegFest that same weekend and I need $ and my body needs a break so it's a beautiful combo.

On a side note....I haven't had much gas for the past couple of months (I know I did during the filming of Vegan Brothers in Iron...sorry to those who had to be around me then)...but really not much gas at all lately....eating cleanly, great pre-contest diet, stuck to it, got ripped, etc.....ate like crazy yesterday and today and can't stop farting!

Dammit!

As the season ends I reflect back...and even reflect back over the years. It looks like I'm improving.

Here I am winning my division in 2005:

And here I am about to get my ass kicked 3 days later in 2009:

I'll just keep on improving....that is the fun part! I'm up to about a 315-pound decline bench and should be using 120's soon for chest press and I'm getting stronger and bigger and with increased rest and food I should be able to return much stronger in 2010.

2009 when I didn't make the top 5 in a non-natural show (photo 3 days before competition)

It's a whole other ball game than what I'm used to...so now I just have to go back and work harder and make improvements so I can keep winning natural shows but also place well in non-natural shows. That will be a lot of fun

Compared to the video, these photos are much better. I still think it might have been the lighting. I think you look great. A buddy of mine just got creamed in NJ when alot of us thought he should have had much higher placing. That is the way it goes sometimes. Anxious to see what another year does for your physique as you pack on some more size.